Introduction
Horse Hauling Considerations
If you are going to haul horses, the first to things to consider is the trailer’s size and its safety. If you are going to haul large breed horses like warmbloods or draft horses, you’re probably going to need a trailer that's taller and bigger than the average trailer. If you are going to haul average size horses, but you want to haul four horses, you’ll also need a bigger trailer if you want to be able to haul all of them at once.
Ideally, your horse trailer size should fit just right - if it’s too big, it’ll give your horse too much space to shift around during travel, and if it’s too small, your horse will be cramped and uncomfortable.
If you are hauling three or fewer horses and you want to be able to tow your trailer with your current truck or SUV, a bumper pull horse trailer would work great. With this type of trailer, you can hitch it up quickly and easily - and most horse haulers find them very easy to tow.
If you have larger horses or more than 3 horses to haul at the same time, you’ll need to have a gooseneck horse trailer. These trailers are larger and heavier than bumper pull horse trailers, but have more space for a dressing room with sleep area, tack storage, and more horse stalls.
Hauling a gooseneck horse trailer might require you to upgrade your truck or towing vehicle as well, because these horse trailers are heavier and require a vehicle with a higher towing capacity and the installation of a gooseneck trailer hitch (5th wheel).
In reality, if you are towing the horse trailer, your tow vehicle is equally as important, if not more important than the horse trailer you need to tow. The reason is that if your tow vehicle is not adequately equipped to tow the weight of your trailer and your horses, you’re putting both you and your horses at risk for an accident on the road. To ensure that your tow vehicle is capable of safely hauling the horse trailer, you’ll need to check that the tongue weight capacity of your truck or SUV is greater than the tongue weight of the horse trailer.
Another important factor to consider when it comes to your tow vehicle is the hitch. You may have heard the saying that “you’re only as strong as the weakest link”, and this is entirely true when it comes to towing a horse trailer as well. You’ll also need to check that the hitch capacity on your tow vehicle is strong enough to haul your horse trailer.
There are some general things that all horses need when they travel - good ventilation, a bright, well-lit interior, and enough space - but other aspects are specific to the horses you are hauling.
Research shows that horses facing the opposite direction of travel arrive at their destination more refreshed and relaxed. But it’s also true that straight load trailers can be beneficial over really long trips, because they let the horse use both its front legs and back legs to balance. Really, it depends on the horse’s trailer experience and preferences.
Like any good horse person, you want to make sure that the horses you are hauling are comfortable and calm during travel, so they can enjoy the trip as much as you do. That’s why safety should be your top priority.
Don’t put your horse in danger by hauling horses in a cheap, unsafe trailer. The inside of a horse trailer should be just as impressive as the outside – ideally, it should have features like insulated walls, a leak-proof roof, chemical bonding to prevent excess road noise, shock-absorbent rubber flooring, and plenty of interior ventilation.
All the different parts of a horse trailer should work together to keep the horses you are hauling safe on the road.
Horse Hauling Investment
If you don’t already own a horse trailer, investing in one is a crucial step for anyone who is going to haul horses, whether they are hauling for themselves, friends or customers. There is a wide variety of horse trailers on the market, but always choose the one that is best for your needs and or your customer’s needs that you can afford. You want to make sure that the trailer you own or the one you need to purchase will provide comfortable transportation for both you and the horses you are going to haul. Numerous requirements have been previously discussed in the considerations.
If you decide you need to purchase a horse trailer, the next question that comes to mind is, new or used? Horse trailers tend to be expensive, and the best solution is by no means one-size-fits-all. Before settling on a purchase, assessing new and used models is necessary to evaluate your options.
Choosing between a new and a used horse trailer can be difficult. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Understanding how each might fit your requirements and budget is critical to making the right choice. To help identify which option will work best for you, you need to explore the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a new or used. Buying a new horse trailer will depend on several factors such as your budget, the durability of the trailer’s material and design, the features offered by various types of trailers, the trailer’s safety features and the experience you want to have while hauling horses.
Some of the positives of purchasing a new horse trailer are: newer technology for safety; the trailer will have an extended warranty, durability and longevity of the trailer can be guaranteed, additional features such as living quarters, tack room, shower, etc., may not be available in used trailers and it is easier to get a custom horse trailer with a brand-new trailer.
Some of the negatives of purchasing a new horse trailer are: initial cost to purchase can be very expensive; if you need to sell the trailer in just a few years its value due to depreciation can be an investment shock; there can be limited customization options with new models.
Buying a used horse trailer can be a great way to save on costs, but it is important to do the research to make sure it is in good condition and able to meet your safety and hauling requirements. Be sure to have the trailer inspected by a professional before purchasing it, as well as to obtain its repair history.
Some of the positives of purchasing a used horse trailer are: the cost is lower when purchasing used compared to buying new; there is a wide selection of makes and models available in used trailers; you don’t have to worry about the initial depreciation; if the trailer is financed, the monthly payments on a loan for a used horse trailer will be noticeably lower than those for a brand-new trailer.
Some of the negatives of purchasing a used horse trailer are: you don’t know the condition of the trailer until you inspect it in person; it is harder to get a custom horse trailer and make adjustments such as adding living quarters or expanding cargo space; the trailer may not be up to current safety standards; there is fewer warranty protections or money back guarantees from used horse trailer sellers and manufacturers.
No matter your purchasing decision, new or used, keep your EGO out of the decision. Your EGO has no ROI. As long as the purchase meets your safety and requirement needs, you have made the right decision.
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